How Should You Handle Random Drug Tests at Work?

Many companies choose to conduct pre-employment drug testing in an effort to prevent workplace drug abuse. In some companies, random screenings are also done. Statistics show people who abuse drugs and alcohol miss more work, cause more accidents and are generally less productive than those who do not abuse drugs or alcohol. If you choose to do mandatory random drug testing, make sure you have a policy in place for this. All employees should be aware of this policy upon employment. They should also understand they could be terminated for failing a test.

Random screenings will help determine if a current employee is abusing drugs or alcohol. Here is how random screenings work:

• Employee names are placed in a testing pool and a random selection is made. 
• Selections are usually computer-generated to be sure it is random. This way, each person at the company has an equal chance of being selected (regardless of whether or not that person was recently tested).
• After a worker is selected for testing, the person is notified and must report for a drug test immediately. Make sure there is not very much time in-between so employees don’t have the opportunity to get the drugs cleared from their system. 

Random employee selections are computerized, so a lot of paperwork is involved to document and manage selections. To streamline the process, some third-party administrators now offer an electronic option for selection and documentation purposes.

Random drug testing can be done quarterly. The testing dates should be spread throughout the year without a pattern. Drug tests should be done anytime workers are on duty and should be held at different times during the day so they are not predictable.

Drug tests should also be reviewed by a licensed medical review officer.

Modern Business Associates is an HR company that focuses on payroll and HR outsourcing. We routinely work with clients on drug testing policies. As a Professional Payroll and HR outsource organization, our clients rely on us to help them effectively deal with these kinds of topics.